AST 1 Squamish

BlackSheep Adventure Sport's Classic AST 1 based out of Squamish BC is ideal for anyone that want's to get into the backcounty.

Backcountry skiing, splitboarding and snowshoeing are exciting sports but without proper knowledge and annual retraining, enthusiasts often take unnecessary risks. Educate yourself with an investment in our AST 1 Course! Proper training will make your winter travels in avalanche terrain safer and more enjoyable. Our avalanche safety instructors are  members of the Canadian Avalanche Association and Guides. Their extensive personal experience in winter guiding, avalanche operations and forecasting will add an extra dimension of interest to your training.

Other Options:

• If you just want more that 1 field day check out our 2-day AST 1+ Course: AST 1+
• If you have already taken an AST 1 and want to learn more check out an AST 2 course.

Pre-Trip Homework:

Our AST’s are broken down into two components, an online course which is followed by the field training. You will be provided access to the online portion a week or two before the course. However it can be useful to do a little extra preparation in advance of the course so if you have time, review Avalanche Canada’s Avy Savvy program, specifically:

• • Chapter 4: Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (Includes Online Trip Planner and Avaluator Trip Planner Exercises
  • Chapter 5: The Avalanche Forecast (Including Avalanche Problems and the Avalanche Forecast Quiz)
  • Chapter 6: The Daily Process (Including Route Finding Exercises). This section might be new for some depending on when they took their AST 1 course
  • Chapter 7: Companion Rescue

Waiver & Risk Management:

As you know, outdoor activities involve numerous hazards including, but not limited to, avalanches, crevasses, rockfall, slips and falls, equipment failure, poor weather, etc. And while we do our best to anticipate and mitigate these hazards we cannot completely eliminate them. So, as with anything fun, you will be required to sign our Participant Release to take part in one of our courses or trips.

The course will take place in an uncontrolledly backcountry winter environment. However, we will be on the periphery of avalanche terrain so as to enable us to run the course no matter what the avalanche danger is for that given day.  All our guides/instructors have an advanced first aid certification and carry first aid kits as well as emergency communication. The course is designed to provide a good platform for learning and is not meant to be overly physically challenging or to put you at risk. Our focus is on instruction so we find appropriate companion rescue and avalanche study areas close that are not overly difficult to access to maximize your avalanche education.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions: booking@blacksheepadventure.ca